NHS Wirral is celebrating ten years since the launch of its chlamydia screening programme - in this time more than 105,000 screening tests for young people have been carried out.

As a result, more people are having the sexually transmitted infection detected and treated earlier – helping them to reduce the risk of long term effects.

It was recognised in the 1990s that chlamydia - known as 'the silent disease' was fast becoming the most common sexually transmitted infection amongst young people. It often has no symptoms and many people are oblivious they have it.

The infection often does not show any symptoms and if left untreated can lead to serious health problems including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women. It is also important to identify and treat those people infected to reduce the transmission to others.

In 1999 the Department of Health’s chlamydia screening pilot scheme was spearheaded by the Wirral team. Its aim was to test and evaluate the acceptability of offering chlamydia urine testing to sexually active people between 16 and 24 who had no symptoms.

The results showed that 10% of those tested had chlamydia.

To prevent and control the disease through early detection and to reduce onward transmission to new sexual partners, a national screening programme was needed.

Judy Fairbairn, programme co-ordinator for NHS Wirral, said: “The pilot study found that young people with no symptoms of an infection were open to the suggestion of regular screening for what was then known as ‘the silent disease’ - as this was a non-invasive urine test.

“This attitude has continued with more young people taking the responsible decision to get tested. Our role is not only to encourage screening to the most at risk age group, but to also promote a healthy sexual well-being. Using a condom each time you have sex will reduce your risk of getting chlamydia.”

Ten years on, every Primary Care Trust in the country now offers a chlamydia screening programme to men and women aged between 16 and 24.

Wirral now has more than 200 testing venues including both clinical and non clinical settings available to young people.

Free and confidential online NHS testing kits are available to 16-24-year-olds living in Wirral.

Log onto www.eazeescreen.co.uk for your free confidential test, or to find a screening venue near to you.